The Pilsener Haus Biergarten: Ein Prosit!

By Kurt Epps—the PubScout

You would think a torrential downpour (which caused major flooding) might dampen a grand opening of a Hoboken Biergarten—and you would be wrong. Not only did Andy Ivanov and Co. get the flood cleaned up, they opened their doors after the storm passed—and another storm came in, this time of customers. The 402 person capacity may have been exceeded, but it was also matched during my visit there tonight, as the local gentry just kept coming in to see what this Biergarten business was all about. The building itself may have been an old warehouse, and entering through a gate to what looks like a big backyard was novel.

Set aside the very impressive beer list and Thomas Ferlesch's outstanding food for a moment. This Biergarten, located in "the mature end" of Ol' Blue Eyes' city, is authentic in many ways, and, if you have a good eye and ear, you may well believe that you've gone back to the 1930s or 40s somewhere in Austria or Germany where the Biergarten is a way of life. No fancy tables with window seats and white glove waiter service…just long benches and long block tables designed to accommodate crowds and enable people—even perfect strangers to engage each other, over some of the finest beers Europe and America have to offer.

Walk in by yourself, with your date or with twenty friends ( I doubt the Pilsener Haus takes reservations), and you're sure to find a comfortable place to consume your food and grog. Enjoy the conversation or just "people-watch." It's all good.

Note the lighting and the fixtures—old fashioned ceramic stays and exposed wires, giant lanterns with soft lights and candles everywhere, while music that sounds like Edith Piaf plays in the background. The walls, taps, barstools and art will all transport the sharp-eyed observer back in time, and most wouldn't be surprised if Bogie himself sauntered through the door.

Order up a Stiegl and a Sausage Platter (large enough for two), or quaff an Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen with any meat dish in either of the two inside rooms or out on the umbrella'ed patio. You'll find yourself doing exactly what Andrei Ivanov had in mind when he concocted the idea of filling this niche.

Though the premise of social quaffing may be similar, a biergarten experience is different from that of a pub or tavern. Having been in biergartens in Die Faderland and here in America, it's a very special ambience, and Ivanov and Co. have captured it. My two quaffing partners on this visit—Mike Clayton, head wrestling coach at Stevens Institute, and Rob Dickerson, newly appointed SubScout, were both very impressed and vowed to return. Clayton has special plans for his wrestling alumni that I'm sure will please them.

But simply beer alone can't do it. There has to be hearty, delicious food, too and Chef Tom Ferlesch has seen to that. He began cooking school at the age of 14 in Austria. Three years later, he struck out to look for work and found it. He even did a stint at the prestigious Southampton Princess Hotel in Bermuda. But, at age 21, he set his sights on the Big Apple and has built a fine reputation for his food. Be sure to ask for the wurst he created…it is killer, especially in the dark brown sauce.

And speaking of "killer," take a gander at the waitstaff. Besides Leslie, Chris and Erica--imagine my surprise to see Gina (from The Brick) beautifying the floor of yet another great place. The barstaff knows their beer, too. Rick, who is related to one of the Alstroms of Beer Advocate, was friendly, knowledgeable and on target with his recommendations.

The food menu, like the beer menu, is extensive, and charcuterie-style. If you want, you can just get up and visit one of the grillers and tell him what you desire. It will be at your place in minutes. The beers come in a variety of Old World glassware, too, from "shorty" mugs to Huge HofbrauHaus mugs you could bathe in, to oversized weisse bier glasses. Don't expect the waitresses to heft five of those big mugs per hand, like their counterparts in Munchen often do. Their muscles aren't that big yet, as they've only been open two days. What's important is that they bring one beer—yours. The Pilsener Haus even has its very own beer, made in Germany by Bitburger.

Andrei Ivanov and Ladi Sebestyan have taken a big gamble in the hopes that Americans will warm to this European style of drinking and dining. If the crowds on the first two nights are any indication, they may have hit the jackpot.

Oktoberfest season here should be off the charts. The Pilsener Haus Biergarten will be on The PubScout's charts, hopefully for many years to come.

Don't forget to check out the downloadable pics on the right. And here's a live video of owner Andy.

Copyright 2011 Kurt Epps All rights reserved

Lagunitas Comes to Mohawk House

By Kurt Epps—The PubScout

Steve Scro is a driven man. He's driven to making his Mohawk House one of the premier food and beer destinations in the state, if not the tri-state area. And, judging by the lines of cars waiting to be valet-serviced before his special Lagunitas Night, much of the tri-state area was there.

Speaking of drives, Scro's Mohawk House, located in Sparta, NJ was more than an hour's drive for The PubScout, up 287 and Rt. 80 during rush hour. But it's one I make without complaint or reservation, because I know what's waiting for me when I get there: great beer, exceptional food, wonderful service and a mountain house atmosphere that just says, "Welcome to the family."

And to his already burgeoning family of beers, Scro added seven from Lagunitas (Petaluma, CA) last night. That Lagunitas was in the house this night made the drive even more acceptable. If you've ever had a Hairy Eyeball, you know what I'm talking about. On this night, though, the Eyeball was nowhere to be seen, but the blind hophead needn't have feared. After getting a neck pass from the affable Trevor, standing mountain-like in the door, he could just follow his nose to the bar where Maggie and her girls would gladly pour three IPA's—including one imperial/double called Farmhouse Hop Stoopid. The hophead could also revel in Lagunitas IPA (6.2%), A Little Sumpin' Sumpin'(7.5%), Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale (9.75%), my favorite Lucky 13.Alt(8.9%), a Pils (6.1%) and a Pale ale, New Dogtown with the lowest ABV in the mix at 5.3%.

Scro is also driven to do everything the "right" way, and that's why the crowds were out the door last night. When they did get in, they were served plattered foods, no doubt designed by the creative Chef Sabo, that were just as unusual and delicious as the beer. Spiced Pork belly Tacos were first, followed by a very tasty Liverwurst Baguette. A most unusual—and unusually good—Date Wrapped in Bacon Stuffed with Peanut Butter came next, and on its heels was a fit-in-your-palm Sweet Potato Danish. A delightful Tumbleweed Cheddar with a Fig on a Chocolate Oat Cracker was offered, and the last dish was called Turkey Bacon, Goat Cheese and "Goslowski" Sauce. I don't know who Goslowski is—or was—but he makes a good sauce.

While I schmoozed among the beer nuts, both neophyte and cognoscenti, the missus sat at the bar and enjoyed an "awesome Crab Cake, one of the best I've ever had." We befriended a mother-daughter couple named Anne (mom) and Peggy (daughter). I have often said that beer brings good people together (the subtitle of this blog says it, too), and Anne and Peggy proved it true. Anne, an old-fashioned, charming Irish gal from Vevay, IN (with a leprechaun's twinkle in her eye) was a delight in conversation, and she didn't look a day over 50. Her doting, statuesque daughter Peggy was cut from the same cloth. Meeting folks like that is perhaps the greatest benefit of beer events like this—after the beer, of course.

Because most of us were there "after the beer." But I noticed something unusual. The place was packed to the gills between 6 PM and 7:30, when, after my third Lucky 13, I saw that the bar suddenly had seats available. It was as though all the "Lagunitas People" had been transported. Which they had been, to the "backyard" of the sprawling Mohawk House near the bocce courts, enjoying the cool, fresh mountain air, a beautiful night, each other's company, and, naturally, the beer.

In all, a great night at the Mohawk House.

When's the next one? Whenever you can get there.

Don't forget to check out the pics to the right.

©Kurt Epps 2011 All rights reserved

Der Biergarten comes to Hoboken

Looks like it's time for a road trip...

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Pilsener Haus and Biergarten to bring European experience to Hoboken NJ.com#incart_hbx

The Thrill May Be Gone, but

the real adventure has just begun. Most kids who turn 21 exult when they can finally drink legally, and they celebrate big time--sometimes, sadly, in excess. But they may also find that their previously illegal beer drinking was part of the allure. After all, pounding BudMillerCoorsNattyLites furtively does seem to thrill many of the college set, a feeling generated by "I'm not supposed to do this, so it's cool." But many have confessed to me, privately, that the verboten aspect of beer drinking was part of its attraction. That their college wallets usually didn't allow for purchases of better beer may have also been part of the equation. But as beer sages have told us from time immemorial: Life is too short to drink bad beer.

With his reaching of the milestone of his 21st birthday, Rob Dickerson, a most engaging and intelligent young man, has entered the Hallowed Halls of Hops. A whole new world of craft beer awaits him as he flexes the four senses he will use to become a discerning SubScout. I hereby congratulate him, as well as deputize him to search his world for quality beers and pubs, and relay the information to me. When he is accomplished enough, I may even allow him to guest-column here, in which case we will use our fifth sense--hearing--by clinking our pints together at a convenient time and place.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Dickerson, and a very Hoppy Birthday!

Cheers!

The PubScout

Yo, Anthony!

By Kurt Epps—The PubScout

Long-time readers know that I don't like beer with pizza, so stopping into a joint in Harrisburg, PA called "Anthony's Micro Pub and Pizza" might have been a bit out of character. But my eldest son had been there and said the beer list was impressive, hence, being in H-Burg for a couple of hours on the way home from NC, we stopped in.

It was, perhaps, early—11:15, but close enough to a noontime lunch that it could be justified. (Almost anything can be justified when you're "on vacation.") We were the only ones in the place, except for Shannon, the attractive and friendly barmistress, and a professional photographer named Steve, who was taking shots of the 60 taps Anthony's sports.

Shannon advised us that the cook wouldn't be coming in until 11:30, but we could sit and have a brew while we waited, which was fine with me. Walking toward the back of the pub, I noticed the first tap said Spring House. I had read about a local upcoming brewery called Spring House and a beer called Seven Gates, so I asked Shannon if that was what was on tap. She confirmed it and had it in front of me a few seconds later. It was quite good, too. So good that despite the other 59 beers on the menu, I had another when the chef finally came in to start his work. The folks over at BA rate it with a "B," but I'd give it at least a B+ and maybe an A-. At 5.6%, it certainly could qualify as a session beer, and a worthy one at that. It was well-balanced with a nice nose, a pleasant hop presence and a decent finish. Of course, my sampling it prevented me from enjoying any of the other beers on the extensive Anthony's menu, but my party did the sampling for me. Shannon brought out a helpful guide, though she apologized for the low toner. Still it was readable and quite helpful to anyone who was in an experimental or discovery mode.

But not nearly as helpful as Shannon herself. One member of our party was having trouble deciding which beer to get. Shannon brought out a few samples, and based upon the reactions to those, made a recommendation that hit the jackpot.

The food at Anthony's is pretty standard pub-grub, reasonably priced and of good quality, but be advised, no one in the kitchen has heard of "portion control," so unless you stop in ravenously hungry, you'll likely be taking food home. Our party did not sample the pizza, but we watched four pies go out between 11:45 and noon, which means somebody likes it.

60 beers, good food, a cozy atmosphere and Shannon…yep, the PubScout heartily recommends Anthony's Micro Pub and Pizza in Harrisburg, PA.

©Kurt Epps 2011 All rights reserved

Nick and The Brick

By Kurt Epps—The PubScout

What do you get when you transplant an Edison, NJ boy with a feel for the restaurant business to North Carolina?

An appealing eatery with a rustic feel, award-winning food—and FIFTY beers on tap.

Jerseyan Nick Lyssikatos , an unassuming, unpretentious fellow, looks more like the guy at the next bar stool than the owner of a booming restaurant business that has been on a ten-year growth spurt. Of course, its location, menu, beer list and ambience have much to do with that. Established in a former 120 year old cotton mill, where the original beams and stone are still visible, and set in the picturesque college town of Davidson, NC, The Brick House Tavern (not affiliated with the national chain that has the words "and Tap" appended to its name) is actually two eateries in one. There's an airy dining area which is quieter and which houses and sells the original artwork of promising Davidson College students, and there's the noisier, pubbier bar area with wide screens—and FIFTY quality beers on tap.

Manager Dan Chilton, a southern gentleman in every aspect of the word, made it clear, though, that the Brick House Tavern is not just a college drinking mecca, except maybe for Thursday nights during the school term when every beer is available for just $2.50 a pint. Indeed, my visit was on a Monday night, customarily the slowest night of the week in the beer bar/restaurant business up north, and the Brick House had a line waiting to get in at 7:30. The clientele is as diverse as the beer list: young folks, families, singles, couples, seasoned citizens. And the place is a local hangout for the hungry, thirsty employees of the nearby—and massive—Ingersoll-Rand complex, so I'm betting the crowds at lunch are just as impressive.

And why wouldn't they be? Owner Nick was beaming with pride as he clutched a glossy copy of the August 2011 issue of Charlotte magazine, wherein his original Carolina Burger had been selected #2 of the top 21 "Must Try" foods in Charlotte. After moving to NC ten years ago, and being an alert Jersey guy, Nick noted that many Carolinians "have a thing about cole slaw on their burgers."

The rest, as they say, is history. Had I known that the Carolina Burger was an award-winner, I'd have ordered it, but my waitress, Mila Kunis lookalike Jasmine with the Svengali-like hypnotic eyes and smile, told me her favorite was the Blue Ridge, so, pretty much under her mesmeric influence, I went with Jasmine's suggestion, which went very well with my Skull Coast Maelstrom IPA. I'll have to go back for the Carolina Burger now. Jasmine did allow that it was their best-seller, but she hypnotized me.

But that will give me a chance to taste more of the beers Nick has added to his ever-changing, ever-growing stable. Red Oak Brewing (NC) makes the transitional House Light and the Irish-y House Red, and the Red is quite tasty. Manager Dan Chilton shares the responsibility of keeping the beer menu current, and Nick pays much attention to what his customers want, though sometimes those beers are not distributed in the area. Jasmine , who by this time, could have given me a Natty Light to try (and I'd probably have agreed eagerly), delivered a sample of New Belgium's 1554—one of her favorites—and for good reason. Malty and complex, yet light enough to be a session beer, it was delightful in every category—nose, mouthfeel, flavor and color. This dark beer has quite a history at New Belgium, and it's worth visiting their site to read about it. Me? I'm just going to go back to the Brick House Tavern and investigate a full pint…or two. Or three.

In fact, anyone who enjoys quality beers and award-winning food in a rustic, historic and friendly atmosphere would do well to hit The Brick. And tell Nick Lyssikatos and Dan Chilton that the PubScout sent you.

Just beware. If Jasmine makes a suggestion, you, too, may be powerless to resist.

Don't forget to check out the pics on the right.

©Kurt Epps 2011 All rights reserved

LSU brews its own beer

Now that's what college is supposed to be about, no? Click the link below and offer your choice for a name for this beer...I prefer Goodman's Gold...(inside joke).

 

What should LSU call its home-brewed beer? | NOLA.com